A masterpiece. The best film by Rossellini, in my opinion. Its fragmented structure conveys the disorientation of the post WWII years in Italy, as well as the extreme sense of loss and chaos which followed the experience of the civil war and the Resistance. Suspended between documentary and film, Paisan attains the level of symbolic realism, where every element is brutally true and yet has a great symbolic value.

It's not fun to watch. It's not great cinematography. There is no real plot. Over 9 hours of interviews, no flashbacks. Yet one MUST watch "Shoah". Everybody should watch this film. The truest documentary I have ever seen. Heart-breaking without using any effects. Just witnesses, and their stories. What's to add, to speak of the unspeakable and represent the unrepresentable? Amazing. Abraham Bomba broke my heart.

This film is pure poetry. A delicate investigation of the relationship between man and woman... Man Ray is such a genius.

Amazing, a masterpiece. Great storyline, great allegoric power, great symbolism, amazing visionary mise-en-scene, good music, incredible acting (Volonte`+ Mastroianni + Ingrassia + Melato!!) and, as usual, Petri's unique touch. And so perceptive of the reality of its times that it ended up being prophetic (google "Aldo Moro" and the year 1978 after you finish this film).

Great, great film. Almost futurist in the explosive beginning, the second part has a slower pace, but great in every sense. Mezzogiorno is always great, Timi is just amazing in his double-role (you know he stutters in real life, right?), and Bellocchio just keeps getting better!